"...when you smile..."

"...When I see your face, there is not a thing that I would change
 Cause you're amazing, just the way you are
 And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for awhile
 Cause [my baby boy] you're amazing, just the way you are, hey..."

-Bruno Mars, Just The Way Your Are

Five weeks ago I gave birth to my handsome prince, Elijah Sun and while every moment thus far has been a challenging and eventful one, he has filled my life with so much joy that I do not know how I existed without him before now.  During his nightly/early morning feeding today I got so many smiles from him that my heart melted.  I cannot describe the overwhelming joy I felt and continue to feel every time he smiles at me.  With that said, week 5 with Elijah brings the following:

1. Less gas and discomfort since being put on to Enfamil fussiness and gas formula
2. Tons of smiles :)
3. Increased bird-like cooing
4. A completely spoiled baby...needs to lay on my chest and be rocked simultaneously to fall asleep
5. Eli's first, very long, road trip and studio pictures 

Until Next Time,
Smiles & Sunshine

I drove 1100 miles to shave my legs

Yes, you read that correctly! Elijah Sun and I are visiting my sisters here in FL and one of the perks of being here is that I have FREE time.  Today I took full advantage of this free time by shaving my legs.  Folks my legs were so bad I could've cornrowed the hairs.  Two razors later, I am fresh and oh so clean [insert cheesy smile here]. It's the simple things people, the simple things...when you become a parent.

HAPPY 1 MONTH BIRTHDAY...

...to the LOVE OF MY LIFE!

BIG yawn after a long night's work...of sleep

A smile

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Top Chef

Basmati Rice, Fresh Spinach sauteed with garlic, and Chicken marinated and baked with white wine, garlic, prunes, and capers

So last night Papa Bear made Mama Bear and Baby Bear (via breast milk) one of the finest meals ever.  It has not been officially named yet but I'm calling it Finger Lickin Good Baked Chicken.

My Daily Arsenal

 

As a first time mom, I'm learning there are quite a few things, besides the obvious (pampers, wipes, formula, bibs, blankets, etc.) that I cannot live without on a DAILY basis:

1. Breast Pads
2. Wipes Warmer
3. Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Breast Creme
4. Bottle Warmer & Sterilizer
5. A&D Ointment
6. Infants' Mylicon Gas Relief
7. Poland Springs Water (for mommy) & Nursery Purified Water (for baby) 
8. Padded Rocking Chair
9. Baby Nasal Aspirator & Air Purifier
10. Pacifier
11. Baby Rocker

Until Next Time,
Breast Creme & Breast Pads

Conditioned

So there is a reason why I am looking like a house slave in this pic.  It's pretty simple...I AM officially a house slave...Elijah's House Slave.  How is it that a 3 week old demands so much attention from you that when given the choice to wash out the conditioner from your hair or sleep, you choose sleep?!?!  It is over 24 hours since I washed my hair and I still have not yet rinsed out the "deep" conditioner.  Why you may ask??? Sleep is so precious and my nerves were so shattered, I'm talking body shaking shattered, that I said fuhget it, I'm sleeping when he sleeps and I'll wash my hair when I get to it...and I am finally getting around to it...tonight! 

Until Next Time,
Shackles & Chains

Happenings of Elijah Sun - Your blues ain't like mine boy!

Elijah at 1am

I am so tired I cannot even effectively pass out.  These late nights are eerily reminiscent of me pulling all-nighters during undergrad. Only difference being I was able to sleep it off after completing that major exam or term paper. It's not quite the same now.

In the last 24 hours I've gotten roughly 5 hours of sleep and changed more pampers than I care to count. Of course lil' man is fast asleep, snoring and all, while I sit here with achy body parts, a blank stare, and utterly confused as to why it is almost 12pm and I can't move, much-less fall asleep.  If it wasn't for the fact that I am breast-feeding I would have me two glasses of wine for lunch just to calm my slowly shattering nerves. 

Until Next Time,
Tired & Confused

5 Pieces of M.O.E. - Home Edition

(1) My cookbooks I eventually want to use

(2) My 'Black Face' Display

(3) 'M' is for Minkie...(Vain! I know.)

(4) My 'Elephant Couple'

(4) My Piece of Africa

(5) My Collection of Poetry...including my own published work :)

No Warning Manual

So here we are...the beginning of week 3!  Elijah is here and boy does he run things.  My former 8 hrs of sleep are a rarity and showers are a luxury. Gordon and I are sleep deprived and I for one look a HOT-ASS MESS!  Here is a list of things that comes with Elijah at week three:

1. GAS and LOTS of it
2. Spit-ups...I basically walk around in just a bra because wearing a top in the house is pointless. WARNING to all visitors: A random boob is likely to be displayed when you come over to visit. 
3. While I finally enjoy breast-feeding, someone needs to send Elijah the memo that these boobs are mine and recklessly man-handling them could lead to him being cut-off (I kid :)
4. No SLEEP at nights, Cat-naps during the day
5. Washing bottles and clothes constantly
6. Slow disappearance of my extremely dark tummy (So why two weeks ago I decided to be cute and put on my largest pair of jeans - size 28 - only to not even be able to pull them up, much less button the waist...I was so devastated.  Here I was thinking I could've squeezed my still recovering fat butt into a pair of cute jeans...NOT! Gordon got a good laugh, at my expense, with that one.)
7. I was short a few screws before, but now I am short screws, bolts, nails, hammer, glue, etc...I often hear Elijah crying when he is not, especially when I am indulging in the luxury of a shower.  I blame it on the lack of sleep.
8. I will save you guys and gals the detail of me needing a pedicure...Ugh!

Until next time,
Bottles & Breast-milk :)